Traumatic spinal cord injury is a devastating disorder chara cterized by sensory,motor,and autonomic dysfunction that seve rely compromises an individual's ability to perform activities of daily living.These adve ...Traumatic spinal cord injury is a devastating disorder chara cterized by sensory,motor,and autonomic dysfunction that seve rely compromises an individual's ability to perform activities of daily living.These adve rse outcomes are closely related to the complex mechanism of spinal cord injury,the limited regenerative capacity of central neurons,and the inhibitory environment fo rmed by traumatic injury.Disruption to the microcirculation is an important pathophysiological mechanism of spinal cord injury.A number of therapeutic agents have been shown to improve the injury environment,mitigate secondary damage,and/or promote regeneration and repair.Among them,the spinal cord microcirculation has become an important target for the treatment of spinal cord injury.Drug inte rventions targeting the microcirculation can improve the microenvironment and promote recovery following spinal cord injury.These drugs target the structure and function of the spinal cord microcirculation and are essential for maintaining the normal function of spinal neuro ns,axons,and glial cells.This review discusses the pathophysiological role of spinal cord microcirculation in spinal cord injury,including its structure and histopathological changes.Further,it summarizes the progress of drug therapies targeting the spinal cord mic rocirc ulation after spinal cord injury.展开更多
Traumatic brain inju ry-induced unfavorable outcomes in human patients have independently been associated with dysregulated levels of monoamines,especially epinephrine,although few preclinical studies have examined th...Traumatic brain inju ry-induced unfavorable outcomes in human patients have independently been associated with dysregulated levels of monoamines,especially epinephrine,although few preclinical studies have examined the epinephrine level in the central nervous system after traumatic brain injury.Epinephrine has been shown to regulate the activities of spinal motoneurons as well as increase the heart rate,blood pressure,and blood flow to the hindlimb muscles.Therefore,the purpose of the present study was to determine the impact of repeated blast-induced traumatic brain injury on the epinephrine levels in seve ral function-s pecific central nervous system regions in rats.Following three repeated blast injuries at 3-day intervals,the hippocampus,motor cortex,locus coeruleus,vestibular nuclei,and lumbar spinal cord were harvested at post-injury day eight and processed for epinephrine assays using a high-sensitive electrochemical detector cou pled with high-performance liquid chromatography.Our results showed that the epinephrine levels were significantly decreased in the lumbar spinal cord tissues of blast-induced traumatic brain injury animals compared to the levels detected in age-and sex-matched sham controls.In other function-specific central nervous system regions,although the epinephrine levels were slightly altered following blast-induced tra u matic brain injury,they were not statistically significant.These results suggest that blast injury-induced significant downregulation of epinephrine in the lumbar spinal cord could negatively impact the motor and cardiovascular function.This is the first repo rt to show altered epinephrine levels in the spinal cord following repetitive mild blast-induced traumatic brain injury.展开更多
Degenerative cervical myelopathy is a common cause of spinal cord injury,with longer symptom duration and higher myelopathy severity indicating a worse prognosis.While numerous studies have investigated serological bi...Degenerative cervical myelopathy is a common cause of spinal cord injury,with longer symptom duration and higher myelopathy severity indicating a worse prognosis.While numerous studies have investigated serological biomarkers for acute spinal cord injury,few studies have explored such biomarkers for diagnosing degenerative cervical myelopathy.This study involved 30 patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy(51.3±7.3 years old,12 women and 18 men),seven healthy controls(25.7±1.7 years old,one woman and six men),and nine patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy(51.9±8.6 years old,three women and six men).Analysis of blood samples from the three groups showed clear differences in transcriptomic characteristics.Enrichment analysis identified 128 differentially expressed genes that were enriched in patients with neurological disabilities.Using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator analysis,we constructed a five-gene model(TBCD,TPM2,PNKD,EIF4G2,and AP5Z1)to diagnose degenerative cervical myelopathy with an accuracy of 93.5%.One-gene models(TCAP and SDHA)identified mild and severe degenerative cervical myelopathy with accuracies of 83.3%and 76.7%,respectively.Signatures of two immune cell types(memory B cells and memory-activated CD4^(+)T cells)predicted levels of lesions in degenerative cervical myelopathy with 80%accuracy.Our results suggest that peripheral blood RNA biomarkers could be used to predict lesion severity in degenerative cervical myelopathy.展开更多
CD34+ cells from human umbilical cord blood were purified by Dynal beads M-450 CD34 immunoselection system and cultured in the presence of various cytokines alone or in combination, including stem cell factor (SCF), i...CD34+ cells from human umbilical cord blood were purified by Dynal beads M-450 CD34 immunoselection system and cultured in the presence of various cytokines alone or in combination, including stem cell factor (SCF), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and erythropoietin (EPO). The results revealed that: (D In methylcellulose culture, the plating efficiencies of purified cord blood CD34+ cells were much different when stimulated by various cytokines. IL-6 alone had the lowest colo-ny yield, while the combination of SCF, IL-6 and EPO had the highest yield. ② In the suspension culture, IL-6 alone or IL-6 + EPO had little expanding effect on cord blood CD34+ celis, the other cytokine combinations could expand cord blood CD34+ celis at different Ievels. Among them, the combination of SCF, IL-6 and EPO had the maximal expanding effect on cord blood CD34+ celis, the number of progenitor celis peaked at day 21, about 29-fold increase and nucleated celis increased approximately 3676-fold at day 28. The expanding effect of展开更多
Stem cell transplantation can promote functional restoration following acute spinal cord injury （injury time 〈 3 months）, but the safety and long-term efficacy of this treatment need further exploration. In this st...Stem cell transplantation can promote functional restoration following acute spinal cord injury （injury time 〈 3 months）, but the safety and long-term efficacy of this treatment need further exploration. In this study, 25 patients with traumatic spinal cord injury （injury time 〉 6 months） were treated with human umbilical cord blood stem cells via intravenous and intrathecal injection. The follow-up period was 12 months after transplantation. Results found that autonomic nerve functions were restored and the latent period of somatosensory evoked potentials was reduced. There were no severe adverse reactions in patients following stem cell transplantation. These experimental findings suggest that the transplantation of human umbilical cord blood stem cells is a safe and effective treatment for patients with traumatic spinal cord injury展开更多
BACKGROUND： Mesenchymal stem cells （MSCs） appear to be a good alternative to Schwann cells in the treatment of peripheral nerve injury. Fetal stem cells, like umbilical cord blood （UCB） and umbilical cord （UC） ...BACKGROUND： Mesenchymal stem cells （MSCs） appear to be a good alternative to Schwann cells in the treatment of peripheral nerve injury. Fetal stem cells, like umbilical cord blood （UCB） and umbilical cord （UC） stem cells, have several advantages over adult stem cells. OBJECTIVE： To assess the effects of UC-derived MSCs （UCMSCs） and UCB-derived MSCs （UCBMSCs） in repair of sciatic nerve defects. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized controlled animal experiment was performed at the laboratory of Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Seoul National University Dental Hospital, from July to December 2009. MATERIALS： UCMSCs were provided by the Research Institute of Biotechnology, Dongguk University. UCBMSCs were provided by the Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tumor Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University. Dulbecco＇s modified Eagle＇s medium （DMEM） was purchased from Gibco-BRL, USA. METHODS： Seven-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly and evenly divided into three groups： DMEM, UCBMSCs, and UCMSCs. A 10-mm defect in the left sciatic nerve was constructed in all rats. DMEM （15 μL） containing 1×10^6 UCBMSCs or UCMSCs was injected into the gap between nerve stumps, with the surrounding epineurium as a natural conduit. For the DMEM group, simple DMEM was injected. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： At 7 weeks after sciatic nerve dissection, dorsal root ganglia neurons were labeled by fluorogold retrograde labeling. At 8 weeks, electrophysiology and histomorphometry were performed. At 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after surgery, sciatic nerve function was evaluated using gait analysis. RESULTS： The UCBMSCs group and the UCMSCs group exhibited similar sciatic nerve function and electrophysiological indices, which were better than the DMEM group, as measured by gait analysis （P 〈 0.05）. Fluorogold retrograde labeling of sciatic nerve revealed that the UCBMSCs group demonstrated a higher number of labeled neurons; however, the differences were not significant. Histomorphometric indices were similar in the UCBMSCs and UCMSCs groups, and total axon counts, particularly axon density （P 〈 0.05）, were significantly greater in the UCBMSCs and UCMSCs groups than in the DMEM group. CONCLUSION： Transplanting either UCBMSCs or UCMSCs into axotomized sciatic nerves could accelerate and promote sciatic nerve regeneration over 8 weeks. Both treatments had similar effects on nerve regeneration.展开更多
Human placenta-derived mononuclear cells （MNC） were isolated by a Percoll density gradient and cultured in mesenchymal stem cell （MSC） maintenance medium. The homogenous layer of adherent cells exhibited a typical...Human placenta-derived mononuclear cells （MNC） were isolated by a Percoll density gradient and cultured in mesenchymal stem cell （MSC） maintenance medium. The homogenous layer of adherent cells exhibited a typical fibroblastlike morphology, a large expansive potential, and cell cycle characteristics including a subset of quiescent cells. In vitro differentiation assays showed the tripotential differentiation capacity of these cells toward adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic lineages. Flow cytometry analyses and immunocytochemistry stain showed that placental MSC was a homogeneous cell population devoid of hematopoietic cells, which uniformly expressed CD29, CD44, CD73, CD105, CD166, laminin, fibronectin and vimentin while being negative for expression of CD31, CD34, CD45 and m-smooth muscle actin. Most importantly, immuno-phenotypic analyses demonstrated that these cells expressed class Ⅰ major histocompatibility complex （MHC-I）, but they did not express MHC-Ⅱ molecules. Additionally these cells could suppress umbilical cord blood （UCB） lymphocytes proliferation induced by cellular or nonspecific mitogenic stimuli. This strongly implies that they may have potential application in allograft transplantation. Since placenta and UCB are homogeneous, the MSC derived from human placenta can be transplanted combined with hematopoietic stem cells （HSC） from UCB to reduce the potential graft-versus-host disease （GVHD） in recipients.展开更多
BACKGROUND： Exogenous neural stem cell transplantation promotes neural regeneration. However, various types of stem cells transplantation outcomes remain controversial. OBJECTIVE： To explore distribution, proliferat...BACKGROUND： Exogenous neural stem cell transplantation promotes neural regeneration. However, various types of stem cells transplantation outcomes remain controversial. OBJECTIVE： To explore distribution, proliferation and differentiation of human neural stem cells （hNSCs） and human umbilical cord blood stem cells （hUCBSCs） following transplantation in ischemic brain tissue of rats, and to compare therapeutic outcomes between hNSCs and hUCBSCs. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Randomized controlled animal studies were performed at the Experimental Animal Center of Nanjing Medical University and Central Laboratory of Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University of China from September 2008 to April 2009. MATERIALS： hNSCs were harvested from brain tissue of 10 13 week old fetuses following spontaneous abortion, and hUCBSCs were collected from umbilical cord blood of full-term newborns at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University of China. hNSCs and hUCBSCs were labeled by 5-bromodeoxyuridine （BrdU） prior to transplantation. METHODS： Rat models of cerebral ischemia were established by the suture method. A total of 60 healthy male Sprague Dawley rats aged 7-9 weeks were randomly assigned to hNSC transplantation, hUCBSC transplantation and control groups. The rat models in the hNSC transplantation, hUCBSC transplantation and control groups were infused with hNSC suspension, hUCBSC suspension and saline via the caudal vein, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The distribution, proliferation and differentiation of hNSCs and hUCBSCs in ischemic brain tissue were observed using immunohistochemical methods. Neurological function in rats was assessed using the neurological severity score. RESULTS： The number of BrdU-positive cells was significantly greater in the hNSC transplantation group compared with hUCBSC transplantation group at 14 days following transplantation （P 〈 0.05） The number of BrdU-positive cells reached a peak at 28 days following transplantation. Nestin-positive, glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive, cyclic nucleotide 3＇ phosphohydrolase-positive and neuron specific enolase-positive cells were visible following transplantation. No significant difference was determined in the constituent ratio of various cells between hNSC and hUCBSC transplantation groups （P 〉 0.05）. The neurological severity score was significantly decreased in rats at 21 days following transplantation （P 〈 0.05）. No significant difference was detected in neurological severity score between hNSC and hUCBSC transplantation groups at various time points （P 〉 0.05）. CONCLUSION： The transplanted hNSCs and hUCBSCs can migrate into ischemic brain tissue, proliferate and differentiate into neuron-like, astrocyte-like and oligodendrocyte-like cells, and improve neurological function in rats with cerebral ischemia.展开更多
Human umbilical cord blood was collected from full-term deliveries scheduled for cesarean section. Mononuclear cells were isolated, amplified and induced as mesenchymal stem cells. Isolated mesenchymal stem cells test...Human umbilical cord blood was collected from full-term deliveries scheduled for cesarean section. Mononuclear cells were isolated, amplified and induced as mesenchymal stem cells. Isolated mesenchymal stem cells tested positive for the marker CD29, CD44 and CD105 and negative for typical hematopoietic and endothelial markers. Following treatment with neural induction medium containing brain-derived neurotrophic factor for 7 days, the adherent cells exhibited neuron-like cellular morphology. Immunohistochemical staining and reverse transcription-PCR revealed that the induced mesenchymal stem cells expressed the markers for neuron-specific enolase and neurofilament. The results demonstrated that human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate into neuron-like cells induced by brain-derived neurotrophic factor in vitro.展开更多
Objective： This retrospective study examined risk factors for cytomegalovirus （CMV） infection after umbilical cord blood transplantation （UCBT） and the impact of CMV infection on patient survival. Methods： In al...Objective： This retrospective study examined risk factors for cytomegalovirus （CMV） infection after umbilical cord blood transplantation （UCBT） and the impact of CMV infection on patient survival. Methods： In all 176 patients, plasma CMV DNA was negative prior to the transplantation, and examined twice a week for 100 d, and then once weekly for additional 300 d. Preemptive antiviral therapy （ganciclovir or foscarnet） was started in patients with 〉 1,000/mL copies of CMV DNA but no full-blown CMV disease, and was discontinued upon two consecutive negative reports of blood CMV DNA test. The survival and risk factors for CMV infection or disease were examined using logistic regression. Results： CMV infection developed in 71% （125/176） of the patients, with a median onset of 32 d. Four patients （2.3%） developed CMV disease. Neither the 5-year overall survival （OS） nor event-free survival （EFS） differed significantly in infected patients vs. those with no infection （59.4% vs. 64.8%, P=0.194; 53.4% vs. 59.1%, P=0.226）. A stepwise multivariate analysis indicated an association of CMV infection with age, high-dose glucocorticoids, the number of transplanted CD34^＋ cells, and the number of platelet transfusion, but not with gender, the conditioning regimen, and the day of neutrophil recovery and chronic graft-versus- host disease （cGVHD）. Conclusions： CMV infection is very common after UCBT, but does not seem to affect long-term survival with preemptive antiviral treatment.展开更多
AIM： To study the condition and potentiality of human umbilical cord blood stem cells （HUCBSC） to differentiate into hepatocytes in vivo or in vitro. METHODS： In a cell culture study of human umbilical cord blood ...AIM： To study the condition and potentiality of human umbilical cord blood stem cells （HUCBSC） to differentiate into hepatocytes in vivo or in vitro. METHODS： In a cell culture study of human umbilical cord blood stem cell （HUCBSC） differentiation, human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells （HUCBMNC） were separated by density gradient centrifugation. Fibroblast growth factor （FGF） and hepatocyte growth factor （HGF） and the supernatant of fetal liver were added in the inducing groups. Only FGF was added in the control group. The expansion and differentiation of HUCBMNC in each group were observed. Human alpha fetoprotein （AFP） and albumin （ALB） were detected by immunohistochemistry. In the animal experiments, the survival SD rats with acute hepatic injury after carbon tetrachloride （CCL4） injection 48 h were randomly divided into three groups. The rats in group A were treated with human umbilical cord blood serum. The rats in group B were treated with HUCBMNC transplantation. The rats in group C were treated with HUCBMNC transplantation followed by intraperitoneal cyclophosphamide for 7 d. The rats were killed at different time points after the treatment and the liver tissue was histopathologically studied and human AFP and ALB detected by immunohistochemistry. The human X inactive-specific transcript gene fragment in the liver tissue was amplified by PCR to find human DNA. RESULTS： The results of cell culture showed that adherent cells were stained negative for AFP or ALB in control group. However, the adherent cells in the inducing groups stained positive for AFP or ALB. The result of animal experiment showed that no human AFP or ALB positive cells present in the liver tissue of group A （control group）. However, many human AFP or ALB positive cells were scattered around sinus hepaUcus and the central veins of hepatic Iobules and in the portal area in group B and group C after one month. The fragment of human X chromagene could be detected in the liver tissue of groups B and C, but not in group A.CONCLUSION： Under certain conditions HUCBSC can differentiate into liver cells in vivo and in vitro.展开更多
BACKGROUND: Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most important antigen-presenting cells in the human body, and DCs with different mature status possess different or even opposite functions. This study was designed to explor...BACKGROUND: Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most important antigen-presenting cells in the human body, and DCs with different mature status possess different or even opposite functions. This study was designed to explore the influence of insulin on the functional status of cord blood-derived DCs and on DC-induced cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity against pancreatic cancer cell lines. METHODS: Mononuclear cells were isolated from fresh cord blood. Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and granulocytemacrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) were used to induce or stimulate the mononuclear cells. Insulin at different concentrations served to modify DCs, and then DC morphology, number, and growth status were assessed. The DC immunophenotype was detected with a flow cytometer. The IL-12 in DC supernatant was determined by ELISA. DC functional status was evaluated by the autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction. T lymphocytes were induced by insulin-modified DCs to become CTLs. The CTL cytotoxicity against pancreatic cancer cell lines was determined. RESULTS: Mononuclear cells from cord blood can be differentiated into DCs by cytokine induction and insulin modification. With the increase in insulin concentration (2.5-25 mg/L), the expression of DC HLA-DR, CD1 alpha, CD80, and CD83 was significantly increased, the DC ability to secrete IL-12 was significantly improved, DC function to activate autologous lymphocytes was significantly enhanced, and the cytotoxicity of CTLs induced by insulin-modified DCs against pancreatic cancer cell lines was significantly strengthened. CONCLUSIONS: Insulin may facilitate DC induction and maturation, and improve the reproductive activity of autologous lymphocytes. The cytotoxicity of CTLs induced by insulin-modified DCs against pancreatic cancer cell lines was significantly enhanced. Insulin may serve as a factor modifying DCs and inducing CTLs in vitro in insulin biotherapy.展开更多
To investigate a possible therapeutic mechanism of cell therapy in the field of cerebral palsy using granulocyte-colony stimulating factor（G-CSF）-mobilized peripheral blood mononuclear cells（m PBMCs）,we compared t...To investigate a possible therapeutic mechanism of cell therapy in the field of cerebral palsy using granulocyte-colony stimulating factor（G-CSF）-mobilized peripheral blood mononuclear cells（m PBMCs）,we compared the expression of inflammatory cytokines and neurotrophic factors in PBMCs and m PBMCs from children with cerebral palsy to those from healthy adult donors and to cord blood mononuclear cells donated from healthy newborns.No significant differences in expression of neurotrophic factors were found between PBMCs and m PBMCs.However,in cerebral palsy children,the expression of interleukin-6 was significantly increased in m PBMCs as compared to PBMCs,and the expression of interleukin-3 was significantly decreased in m PBMCs as compared to PBMCs.In healthy adults,the expression levels of both interleukin-1βand interleukin-6 were significantly increased in m PBMCs as compared to PBMCs.The expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factors in m PBMC from cerebral palsy children was significantly higher than that in the cord blood or m PBMCs from healthy adults.The expression of G-CSF in m PBMCs from cerebral palsy children was comparable to that in the cord blood but significantly higher than that in m PBMCs from healthy adults.Lower expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines（interleukin-1β,interleukin-3,and-6）and higher expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines（interleukin-8 and interleukin-9）were observed from the cord blood and m PBMCs from cerebral palsy children rather than from healthy adults.These findings indicate that m PBMCs from cerebral palsy and cord blood mononuclear cells from healthy newborns have the potential to become seed cells for treatment of cerebral palsy.展开更多
BACKGROUND： Mesenchymal stem cells （MSCs） are capable of differentiating into a variety of tissues and exhibit low immunogenicity. OBJECTIVE： To investigate isolation and in vitro cultivation methods of human cord...BACKGROUND： Mesenchymal stem cells （MSCs） are capable of differentiating into a variety of tissues and exhibit low immunogenicity. OBJECTIVE： To investigate isolation and in vitro cultivation methods of human cord blood MSCs, to observe expression of neural stem cell （NSC） marker mRNA under induction, and to detect tumorigenicity in animals. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A cell biological, in vitro trial and a randomized, controlled, in vivo experiment were performed at the Department of Neurology, Daping Hospital at the Third Military Medical University of Chinese PLA from August 2006 to May 2008. MATERIALS： Umbilical cord blood was collected from full-term-delivery fetus at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Daping Hospital, China. Eighteen BALB/C nu/nu nude mice were randomly assigned to three groups： back subcutaneous, cervical subcutaneous, and control, with 6 mice in each group. METHODS： Monocytes were isolated from heparinized human cord blood samples by density gradient centrifugation and then adherent cultivated in vitro to obtain MSC clones. After the cord blood MSCs were cultured for 7 days with nerve growth factor and retinoic acid to induce differentiation into NSCs, the cells （adjusted density of 1 × 10^7/mL） were prepared into cell suspension. In the back subcutaneous and cervical subcutaneous groups, nude mice were hypodermically injected with a 0.5-mL cell suspension into the back and cervical regions, respectively. In the control group, nude mice received a subcutaneous injection of 0.5 mL physiological saline into the back or cervical regions, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Cellular morphology was observed by inverted microscopy, cultured cord blood MSCs were examined by flow cytometry, expression of nestin and musashi-1 mRNA was detected by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction prior to and after induction, and tumorigenicity following cord blood MSC transplantation was assayed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. RESULTS： Following adherent cultivation, the majority of cord blood monocytes became rhombic and strongly expressed CD29, but not CD34, CD1 la, or CD11 b. These results supported previously known characteristics of cord blood MSCs. Following differentiation induction, nestin and musashi-1 were expressed on the surface of NSCs, exhibiting strongest expression at 48 hours, and subsequently reducing expression. Cultured cord blood MSCs were not tumorigenic in the nude mice. Cellular morphology displayed no malignant changes between the control and subcutaneous groups. CONCLUSION： MSCs can be isolated from human cord blood, efficiently expanded under culture conditions, differentiated into NSCs following induction, and display no tumorigenicity in nude mice.展开更多
Objective: To investigate the expression and significance of caspase-3 protein in CD34^+ cells from cord blood (CB) during culture in vitro with different growth factors. Methods: RT-PCR, Western blot and flow cytomet...Objective: To investigate the expression and significance of caspase-3 protein in CD34^+ cells from cord blood (CB) during culture in vitro with different growth factors. Methods: RT-PCR, Western blot and flow cytometry techniques were used to detect the expression of caspase-3 in CD34^+ CB cells during culture in vitro. Results: Caspase-3 mRNA was constitutively expressed at a low level in freshly isolated CD34^+ cells. The expression of caspase-3 mRNA and protein was upregulated when these cellswere first expanded in suspension culture with growth factors for 3 days. However, only the 32 kDa inactive caspase-3 proenzyme was detected in the freshly isolated CD34^+ cells as well as during the first 3 days expansion with cytokines. With longer culture time in vitro, especially in the presence of the combination of IL-3, IL-6 and GM-CSF, caspase-3 was activated and a cleavage product of 20 kDa became detectable.Conclusion: Caspase-3 is involved in apoptosis of primitive CB CD34^+ cells during expansion in vitro.展开更多
Clinical and laboratory results document psoriatic arthritis in a 56-year old patient. The symptoms did not resolve with standard treatments(nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids and methotrexate). TNF-alpha ...Clinical and laboratory results document psoriatic arthritis in a 56-year old patient. The symptoms did not resolve with standard treatments(nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids and methotrexate). TNF-alpha inhibitors(certolizumab pegol and adalimumab) were added to the treatment regime, with some adverse effects. A trial of human umbilical cord stem cell therapy was then initiated. The stem cells were enriched and concentrated from whole cord blood, by removal of erythrocytes and centrifugation. The patient received several infusions of cord blood stem cells, through intravenous and intra-articular injections. These stem cell treatments correlated with remission of symptoms(joint pain and psoriatic plaques) and normalized serologic results for the inflammatory markers C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. These improvements were noted within the first thirty days post-treatment, and were sustained for more than one year. The results of this trial suggest that cord blood stem cells may have important therapeutic value for patients with psoriatic arthritis, particularly for those who cannot tolerate standard treatments.展开更多
AIM: To investigate intraperitoneal transplantation of microencapsulated hepatic-like cells from human umbilical cord blood for treatment of hepatic failure in rats. METHODS: CD34+ cells in umbilical cord blood cells ...AIM: To investigate intraperitoneal transplantation of microencapsulated hepatic-like cells from human umbilical cord blood for treatment of hepatic failure in rats. METHODS: CD34+ cells in umbilical cord blood cells were isolated by magnetic cell sorting. In the in vitro experiment, sorted CD34+ cells were amplified and induced into hepatic-like cells by culturing with a combination of fibroblast growth factor 4 and hepatocyte growth factor. Cultures without growth factor addition served as controls. mRNA and protein levels for hepatic-like cells were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. In the in vivo experiment, the hepatic-like cells were encapsulated and transplanted into the abdominal cavity of acute hepatic failure (AHF) rats at 48 h after D-galactosamine induction of acute hepatic failure. Transplantation with PBS and unencapsulated hepatic-like cells served as controls. The mortality rate, hepatic pathological changes and serum biochemical indexes were determined. The morphology and structure of microcapsules in the greater omentum were observed. RESULTS: Human albumin, alpha-fetoprotein and GATA-4 mRNA and albumin protein positive cells were found among cultured cells after 16 d. Albumin level in culture medium was significantly increased after culturing with growth factors in comparison with culturing without growth factor addition (P < 0.01). Compared with the unencapsulated group, the mortality rate of the encapsulated hepatic-like cell-transplanted group was significantly lower (P < 0.05). Serum biochemical parameters, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and total bilirubin in the encapsulated group were significantly improvement compared with the PBS control group (P < 0.01). Pathological staining further supported these findings. At 1-2 wk post-transplantation, free microcapsules with a round clear structure and a smooth surface were observed in peritoneal lavage fluid, surviving cells inside microcapsules were found by trypan blue staining, but some fibrous tissue around microcapsules was also detected in the greater omentum of encapsulated group by hematoxylin and eosin staining. CONCLUSION: Transplantation of microencapsulated hepatic-like cells derived from umbilical cord blood cells could preliminarily alleviate the symptoms of AHF rats.展开更多
The feasibility of using cord blood mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (CB-MSPCs) to regenerate cardiomyocytes and the optimal inducing conditions were investigated. The CB mononuclear cells were cultured in low serum ...The feasibility of using cord blood mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (CB-MSPCs) to regenerate cardiomyocytes and the optimal inducing conditions were investigated. The CB mononuclear cells were cultured in low serum DMEM medium to produce an adherent layer. After expansion, the adherent cells were added into cardiomyocyte inducing medium supplemented with 5-azacytidine. Cardiogenic specific contractile protein troponin T staining was performed to identify the cardiomy-ocyte-like cells. The results showed that the frequency of CB-MSPCs clones in CB mononuclear cells was 0. 5×10-6 and about 1. 3×107-fold expansion was achieved within 20 sub-cultivation. After car-diogenic induction, 70 % CB-MSPCs was differentiated into cardiomyocyte-like cells. It was indicated that low serum culture could expand CB-MSPCs extensively and the expanded CB-MSPCs could be induced to differentiate into cardiomyocyte-like cells in high efficiency.展开更多
In the present study, human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells were injected into a rat model of traumatic brain injury via the tail vein. Results showed that 5-bromodeoxyuridine-labeled cells aggregated arou...In the present study, human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells were injected into a rat model of traumatic brain injury via the tail vein. Results showed that 5-bromodeoxyuridine-labeled cells aggregated around the injury site, surviving up to 4 weeks post-transplantation. In addition, transplantation-related death did not occur, and neurological functions significantly improved. Histological detection revealed attenuated pathological injury in rat brain tissues following human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cell transplantation. In addition, the number of apoptotic cells decreased. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization showed increased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, nerve growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor, along with increased microvessel density in surrounding areas of brain injury. Results demonstrated migration of transplanted human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells into the lesioned boundary zone of rats, as well as increased angiogenesis and expression of related neurotrophic factors in the lesioned boundary zone.展开更多
基金supported by Key Project of China Rehabilitation Research Center,Nos.2022ZX-05,2018ZX-08(both to JB)。
文摘Traumatic spinal cord injury is a devastating disorder chara cterized by sensory,motor,and autonomic dysfunction that seve rely compromises an individual's ability to perform activities of daily living.These adve rse outcomes are closely related to the complex mechanism of spinal cord injury,the limited regenerative capacity of central neurons,and the inhibitory environment fo rmed by traumatic injury.Disruption to the microcirculation is an important pathophysiological mechanism of spinal cord injury.A number of therapeutic agents have been shown to improve the injury environment,mitigate secondary damage,and/or promote regeneration and repair.Among them,the spinal cord microcirculation has become an important target for the treatment of spinal cord injury.Drug inte rventions targeting the microcirculation can improve the microenvironment and promote recovery following spinal cord injury.These drugs target the structure and function of the spinal cord microcirculation and are essential for maintaining the normal function of spinal neuro ns,axons,and glial cells.This review discusses the pathophysiological role of spinal cord microcirculation in spinal cord injury,including its structure and histopathological changes.Further,it summarizes the progress of drug therapies targeting the spinal cord mic rocirc ulation after spinal cord injury.
基金supported by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research and Development Service (RR&D)[Merit Review Award numbers B3123-I/101 RX003123 and B3986-R/I01 RX003986-01A1]。
文摘Traumatic brain inju ry-induced unfavorable outcomes in human patients have independently been associated with dysregulated levels of monoamines,especially epinephrine,although few preclinical studies have examined the epinephrine level in the central nervous system after traumatic brain injury.Epinephrine has been shown to regulate the activities of spinal motoneurons as well as increase the heart rate,blood pressure,and blood flow to the hindlimb muscles.Therefore,the purpose of the present study was to determine the impact of repeated blast-induced traumatic brain injury on the epinephrine levels in seve ral function-s pecific central nervous system regions in rats.Following three repeated blast injuries at 3-day intervals,the hippocampus,motor cortex,locus coeruleus,vestibular nuclei,and lumbar spinal cord were harvested at post-injury day eight and processed for epinephrine assays using a high-sensitive electrochemical detector cou pled with high-performance liquid chromatography.Our results showed that the epinephrine levels were significantly decreased in the lumbar spinal cord tissues of blast-induced traumatic brain injury animals compared to the levels detected in age-and sex-matched sham controls.In other function-specific central nervous system regions,although the epinephrine levels were slightly altered following blast-induced tra u matic brain injury,they were not statistically significant.These results suggest that blast injury-induced significant downregulation of epinephrine in the lumbar spinal cord could negatively impact the motor and cardiovascular function.This is the first repo rt to show altered epinephrine levels in the spinal cord following repetitive mild blast-induced traumatic brain injury.
基金supported by Hunan Provincial Key Research and Development Program,No.2021SK2002(to BW)the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province of China(General Program),No.2021JJ30938(to YL)。
文摘Degenerative cervical myelopathy is a common cause of spinal cord injury,with longer symptom duration and higher myelopathy severity indicating a worse prognosis.While numerous studies have investigated serological biomarkers for acute spinal cord injury,few studies have explored such biomarkers for diagnosing degenerative cervical myelopathy.This study involved 30 patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy(51.3±7.3 years old,12 women and 18 men),seven healthy controls(25.7±1.7 years old,one woman and six men),and nine patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy(51.9±8.6 years old,three women and six men).Analysis of blood samples from the three groups showed clear differences in transcriptomic characteristics.Enrichment analysis identified 128 differentially expressed genes that were enriched in patients with neurological disabilities.Using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator analysis,we constructed a five-gene model(TBCD,TPM2,PNKD,EIF4G2,and AP5Z1)to diagnose degenerative cervical myelopathy with an accuracy of 93.5%.One-gene models(TCAP and SDHA)identified mild and severe degenerative cervical myelopathy with accuracies of 83.3%and 76.7%,respectively.Signatures of two immune cell types(memory B cells and memory-activated CD4^(+)T cells)predicted levels of lesions in degenerative cervical myelopathy with 80%accuracy.Our results suggest that peripheral blood RNA biomarkers could be used to predict lesion severity in degenerative cervical myelopathy.
文摘CD34+ cells from human umbilical cord blood were purified by Dynal beads M-450 CD34 immunoselection system and cultured in the presence of various cytokines alone or in combination, including stem cell factor (SCF), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and erythropoietin (EPO). The results revealed that: (D In methylcellulose culture, the plating efficiencies of purified cord blood CD34+ cells were much different when stimulated by various cytokines. IL-6 alone had the lowest colo-ny yield, while the combination of SCF, IL-6 and EPO had the highest yield. ② In the suspension culture, IL-6 alone or IL-6 + EPO had little expanding effect on cord blood CD34+ celis, the other cytokine combinations could expand cord blood CD34+ celis at different Ievels. Among them, the combination of SCF, IL-6 and EPO had the maximal expanding effect on cord blood CD34+ celis, the number of progenitor celis peaked at day 21, about 29-fold increase and nucleated celis increased approximately 3676-fold at day 28. The expanding effect of
文摘Stem cell transplantation can promote functional restoration following acute spinal cord injury （injury time 〈 3 months）, but the safety and long-term efficacy of this treatment need further exploration. In this study, 25 patients with traumatic spinal cord injury （injury time 〉 6 months） were treated with human umbilical cord blood stem cells via intravenous and intrathecal injection. The follow-up period was 12 months after transplantation. Results found that autonomic nerve functions were restored and the latent period of somatosensory evoked potentials was reduced. There were no severe adverse reactions in patients following stem cell transplantation. These experimental findings suggest that the transplantation of human umbilical cord blood stem cells is a safe and effective treatment for patients with traumatic spinal cord injury
基金the Korea Health R&D Project Granted by Ministry of Health and Welfare Republic of Korea, No. A080863
文摘BACKGROUND： Mesenchymal stem cells （MSCs） appear to be a good alternative to Schwann cells in the treatment of peripheral nerve injury. Fetal stem cells, like umbilical cord blood （UCB） and umbilical cord （UC） stem cells, have several advantages over adult stem cells. OBJECTIVE： To assess the effects of UC-derived MSCs （UCMSCs） and UCB-derived MSCs （UCBMSCs） in repair of sciatic nerve defects. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized controlled animal experiment was performed at the laboratory of Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Seoul National University Dental Hospital, from July to December 2009. MATERIALS： UCMSCs were provided by the Research Institute of Biotechnology, Dongguk University. UCBMSCs were provided by the Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tumor Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University. Dulbecco＇s modified Eagle＇s medium （DMEM） was purchased from Gibco-BRL, USA. METHODS： Seven-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly and evenly divided into three groups： DMEM, UCBMSCs, and UCMSCs. A 10-mm defect in the left sciatic nerve was constructed in all rats. DMEM （15 μL） containing 1×10^6 UCBMSCs or UCMSCs was injected into the gap between nerve stumps, with the surrounding epineurium as a natural conduit. For the DMEM group, simple DMEM was injected. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： At 7 weeks after sciatic nerve dissection, dorsal root ganglia neurons were labeled by fluorogold retrograde labeling. At 8 weeks, electrophysiology and histomorphometry were performed. At 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after surgery, sciatic nerve function was evaluated using gait analysis. RESULTS： The UCBMSCs group and the UCMSCs group exhibited similar sciatic nerve function and electrophysiological indices, which were better than the DMEM group, as measured by gait analysis （P 〈 0.05）. Fluorogold retrograde labeling of sciatic nerve revealed that the UCBMSCs group demonstrated a higher number of labeled neurons; however, the differences were not significant. Histomorphometric indices were similar in the UCBMSCs and UCMSCs groups, and total axon counts, particularly axon density （P 〈 0.05）, were significantly greater in the UCBMSCs and UCMSCs groups than in the DMEM group. CONCLUSION： Transplanting either UCBMSCs or UCMSCs into axotomized sciatic nerves could accelerate and promote sciatic nerve regeneration over 8 weeks. Both treatments had similar effects on nerve regeneration.
基金This study was supported by a grant from National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.30271245)Hi-Tech Research and Development Program of China(863 Program)(No.2003AA205170)+1 种基金National Basic Research Program of China(973 Program)(No.G 1999054302)a grant from Bejing Gynecology and Obstetrics Hospital Affiliate of Capital University of Medical Sciences.
文摘Human placenta-derived mononuclear cells （MNC） were isolated by a Percoll density gradient and cultured in mesenchymal stem cell （MSC） maintenance medium. The homogenous layer of adherent cells exhibited a typical fibroblastlike morphology, a large expansive potential, and cell cycle characteristics including a subset of quiescent cells. In vitro differentiation assays showed the tripotential differentiation capacity of these cells toward adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic lineages. Flow cytometry analyses and immunocytochemistry stain showed that placental MSC was a homogeneous cell population devoid of hematopoietic cells, which uniformly expressed CD29, CD44, CD73, CD105, CD166, laminin, fibronectin and vimentin while being negative for expression of CD31, CD34, CD45 and m-smooth muscle actin. Most importantly, immuno-phenotypic analyses demonstrated that these cells expressed class Ⅰ major histocompatibility complex （MHC-I）, but they did not express MHC-Ⅱ molecules. Additionally these cells could suppress umbilical cord blood （UCB） lymphocytes proliferation induced by cellular or nonspecific mitogenic stimuli. This strongly implies that they may have potential application in allograft transplantation. Since placenta and UCB are homogeneous, the MSC derived from human placenta can be transplanted combined with hematopoietic stem cells （HSC） from UCB to reduce the potential graft-versus-host disease （GVHD） in recipients.
文摘BACKGROUND： Exogenous neural stem cell transplantation promotes neural regeneration. However, various types of stem cells transplantation outcomes remain controversial. OBJECTIVE： To explore distribution, proliferation and differentiation of human neural stem cells （hNSCs） and human umbilical cord blood stem cells （hUCBSCs） following transplantation in ischemic brain tissue of rats, and to compare therapeutic outcomes between hNSCs and hUCBSCs. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Randomized controlled animal studies were performed at the Experimental Animal Center of Nanjing Medical University and Central Laboratory of Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University of China from September 2008 to April 2009. MATERIALS： hNSCs were harvested from brain tissue of 10 13 week old fetuses following spontaneous abortion, and hUCBSCs were collected from umbilical cord blood of full-term newborns at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University of China. hNSCs and hUCBSCs were labeled by 5-bromodeoxyuridine （BrdU） prior to transplantation. METHODS： Rat models of cerebral ischemia were established by the suture method. A total of 60 healthy male Sprague Dawley rats aged 7-9 weeks were randomly assigned to hNSC transplantation, hUCBSC transplantation and control groups. The rat models in the hNSC transplantation, hUCBSC transplantation and control groups were infused with hNSC suspension, hUCBSC suspension and saline via the caudal vein, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The distribution, proliferation and differentiation of hNSCs and hUCBSCs in ischemic brain tissue were observed using immunohistochemical methods. Neurological function in rats was assessed using the neurological severity score. RESULTS： The number of BrdU-positive cells was significantly greater in the hNSC transplantation group compared with hUCBSC transplantation group at 14 days following transplantation （P 〈 0.05） The number of BrdU-positive cells reached a peak at 28 days following transplantation. Nestin-positive, glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive, cyclic nucleotide 3＇ phosphohydrolase-positive and neuron specific enolase-positive cells were visible following transplantation. No significant difference was determined in the constituent ratio of various cells between hNSC and hUCBSC transplantation groups （P 〉 0.05）. The neurological severity score was significantly decreased in rats at 21 days following transplantation （P 〈 0.05）. No significant difference was detected in neurological severity score between hNSC and hUCBSC transplantation groups at various time points （P 〉 0.05）. CONCLUSION： The transplanted hNSCs and hUCBSCs can migrate into ischemic brain tissue, proliferate and differentiate into neuron-like, astrocyte-like and oligodendrocyte-like cells, and improve neurological function in rats with cerebral ischemia.
基金the National Basic Research Program of China(973 Program),No. 2005CB522604
文摘Human umbilical cord blood was collected from full-term deliveries scheduled for cesarean section. Mononuclear cells were isolated, amplified and induced as mesenchymal stem cells. Isolated mesenchymal stem cells tested positive for the marker CD29, CD44 and CD105 and negative for typical hematopoietic and endothelial markers. Following treatment with neural induction medium containing brain-derived neurotrophic factor for 7 days, the adherent cells exhibited neuron-like cellular morphology. Immunohistochemical staining and reverse transcription-PCR revealed that the induced mesenchymal stem cells expressed the markers for neuron-specific enolase and neurofilament. The results demonstrated that human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate into neuron-like cells induced by brain-derived neurotrophic factor in vitro.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Fund of China(81250001)the Twelfth Five-year Science and Technology Project in Anhui Province(11010402164)+1 种基金Anhui Province Science and Technology Leader of Scientific Research FundAnhui Provincial‘115’Industrial Innovation Program[2009]
文摘Objective： This retrospective study examined risk factors for cytomegalovirus （CMV） infection after umbilical cord blood transplantation （UCBT） and the impact of CMV infection on patient survival. Methods： In all 176 patients, plasma CMV DNA was negative prior to the transplantation, and examined twice a week for 100 d, and then once weekly for additional 300 d. Preemptive antiviral therapy （ganciclovir or foscarnet） was started in patients with 〉 1,000/mL copies of CMV DNA but no full-blown CMV disease, and was discontinued upon two consecutive negative reports of blood CMV DNA test. The survival and risk factors for CMV infection or disease were examined using logistic regression. Results： CMV infection developed in 71% （125/176） of the patients, with a median onset of 32 d. Four patients （2.3%） developed CMV disease. Neither the 5-year overall survival （OS） nor event-free survival （EFS） differed significantly in infected patients vs. those with no infection （59.4% vs. 64.8%, P=0.194; 53.4% vs. 59.1%, P=0.226）. A stepwise multivariate analysis indicated an association of CMV infection with age, high-dose glucocorticoids, the number of transplanted CD34^＋ cells, and the number of platelet transfusion, but not with gender, the conditioning regimen, and the day of neutrophil recovery and chronic graft-versus- host disease （cGVHD）. Conclusions： CMV infection is very common after UCBT, but does not seem to affect long-term survival with preemptive antiviral treatment.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 39870651Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province, No. 04JJ6048
文摘AIM： To study the condition and potentiality of human umbilical cord blood stem cells （HUCBSC） to differentiate into hepatocytes in vivo or in vitro. METHODS： In a cell culture study of human umbilical cord blood stem cell （HUCBSC） differentiation, human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells （HUCBMNC） were separated by density gradient centrifugation. Fibroblast growth factor （FGF） and hepatocyte growth factor （HGF） and the supernatant of fetal liver were added in the inducing groups. Only FGF was added in the control group. The expansion and differentiation of HUCBMNC in each group were observed. Human alpha fetoprotein （AFP） and albumin （ALB） were detected by immunohistochemistry. In the animal experiments, the survival SD rats with acute hepatic injury after carbon tetrachloride （CCL4） injection 48 h were randomly divided into three groups. The rats in group A were treated with human umbilical cord blood serum. The rats in group B were treated with HUCBMNC transplantation. The rats in group C were treated with HUCBMNC transplantation followed by intraperitoneal cyclophosphamide for 7 d. The rats were killed at different time points after the treatment and the liver tissue was histopathologically studied and human AFP and ALB detected by immunohistochemistry. The human X inactive-specific transcript gene fragment in the liver tissue was amplified by PCR to find human DNA. RESULTS： The results of cell culture showed that adherent cells were stained negative for AFP or ALB in control group. However, the adherent cells in the inducing groups stained positive for AFP or ALB. The result of animal experiment showed that no human AFP or ALB positive cells present in the liver tissue of group A （control group）. However, many human AFP or ALB positive cells were scattered around sinus hepaUcus and the central veins of hepatic Iobules and in the portal area in group B and group C after one month. The fragment of human X chromagene could be detected in the liver tissue of groups B and C, but not in group A.CONCLUSION： Under certain conditions HUCBSC can differentiate into liver cells in vivo and in vitro.
基金supported by a grant from the 2008Henan Tackling Key Problems in Science and Technology(No.082102310036)
文摘BACKGROUND: Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most important antigen-presenting cells in the human body, and DCs with different mature status possess different or even opposite functions. This study was designed to explore the influence of insulin on the functional status of cord blood-derived DCs and on DC-induced cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity against pancreatic cancer cell lines. METHODS: Mononuclear cells were isolated from fresh cord blood. Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and granulocytemacrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) were used to induce or stimulate the mononuclear cells. Insulin at different concentrations served to modify DCs, and then DC morphology, number, and growth status were assessed. The DC immunophenotype was detected with a flow cytometer. The IL-12 in DC supernatant was determined by ELISA. DC functional status was evaluated by the autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction. T lymphocytes were induced by insulin-modified DCs to become CTLs. The CTL cytotoxicity against pancreatic cancer cell lines was determined. RESULTS: Mononuclear cells from cord blood can be differentiated into DCs by cytokine induction and insulin modification. With the increase in insulin concentration (2.5-25 mg/L), the expression of DC HLA-DR, CD1 alpha, CD80, and CD83 was significantly increased, the DC ability to secrete IL-12 was significantly improved, DC function to activate autologous lymphocytes was significantly enhanced, and the cytotoxicity of CTLs induced by insulin-modified DCs against pancreatic cancer cell lines was significantly strengthened. CONCLUSIONS: Insulin may facilitate DC induction and maturation, and improve the reproductive activity of autologous lymphocytes. The cytotoxicity of CTLs induced by insulin-modified DCs against pancreatic cancer cell lines was significantly enhanced. Insulin may serve as a factor modifying DCs and inducing CTLs in vitro in insulin biotherapy.
基金supported by the Research Fund of Hanyang University(HY-2012)
文摘To investigate a possible therapeutic mechanism of cell therapy in the field of cerebral palsy using granulocyte-colony stimulating factor（G-CSF）-mobilized peripheral blood mononuclear cells（m PBMCs）,we compared the expression of inflammatory cytokines and neurotrophic factors in PBMCs and m PBMCs from children with cerebral palsy to those from healthy adult donors and to cord blood mononuclear cells donated from healthy newborns.No significant differences in expression of neurotrophic factors were found between PBMCs and m PBMCs.However,in cerebral palsy children,the expression of interleukin-6 was significantly increased in m PBMCs as compared to PBMCs,and the expression of interleukin-3 was significantly decreased in m PBMCs as compared to PBMCs.In healthy adults,the expression levels of both interleukin-1βand interleukin-6 were significantly increased in m PBMCs as compared to PBMCs.The expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factors in m PBMC from cerebral palsy children was significantly higher than that in the cord blood or m PBMCs from healthy adults.The expression of G-CSF in m PBMCs from cerebral palsy children was comparable to that in the cord blood but significantly higher than that in m PBMCs from healthy adults.Lower expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines（interleukin-1β,interleukin-3,and-6）and higher expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines（interleukin-8 and interleukin-9）were observed from the cord blood and m PBMCs from cerebral palsy children rather than from healthy adults.These findings indicate that m PBMCs from cerebral palsy and cord blood mononuclear cells from healthy newborns have the potential to become seed cells for treatment of cerebral palsy.
基金Supported by:Tackle Key Project of Chongqing Municipal Science and Technology Ministry,No. 7830
文摘BACKGROUND： Mesenchymal stem cells （MSCs） are capable of differentiating into a variety of tissues and exhibit low immunogenicity. OBJECTIVE： To investigate isolation and in vitro cultivation methods of human cord blood MSCs, to observe expression of neural stem cell （NSC） marker mRNA under induction, and to detect tumorigenicity in animals. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A cell biological, in vitro trial and a randomized, controlled, in vivo experiment were performed at the Department of Neurology, Daping Hospital at the Third Military Medical University of Chinese PLA from August 2006 to May 2008. MATERIALS： Umbilical cord blood was collected from full-term-delivery fetus at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Daping Hospital, China. Eighteen BALB/C nu/nu nude mice were randomly assigned to three groups： back subcutaneous, cervical subcutaneous, and control, with 6 mice in each group. METHODS： Monocytes were isolated from heparinized human cord blood samples by density gradient centrifugation and then adherent cultivated in vitro to obtain MSC clones. After the cord blood MSCs were cultured for 7 days with nerve growth factor and retinoic acid to induce differentiation into NSCs, the cells （adjusted density of 1 × 10^7/mL） were prepared into cell suspension. In the back subcutaneous and cervical subcutaneous groups, nude mice were hypodermically injected with a 0.5-mL cell suspension into the back and cervical regions, respectively. In the control group, nude mice received a subcutaneous injection of 0.5 mL physiological saline into the back or cervical regions, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Cellular morphology was observed by inverted microscopy, cultured cord blood MSCs were examined by flow cytometry, expression of nestin and musashi-1 mRNA was detected by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction prior to and after induction, and tumorigenicity following cord blood MSC transplantation was assayed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. RESULTS： Following adherent cultivation, the majority of cord blood monocytes became rhombic and strongly expressed CD29, but not CD34, CD1 la, or CD11 b. These results supported previously known characteristics of cord blood MSCs. Following differentiation induction, nestin and musashi-1 were expressed on the surface of NSCs, exhibiting strongest expression at 48 hours, and subsequently reducing expression. Cultured cord blood MSCs were not tumorigenic in the nude mice. Cellular morphology displayed no malignant changes between the control and subcutaneous groups. CONCLUSION： MSCs can be isolated from human cord blood, efficiently expanded under culture conditions, differentiated into NSCs following induction, and display no tumorigenicity in nude mice.
基金The study was supported by a grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.39928010)
文摘Objective: To investigate the expression and significance of caspase-3 protein in CD34^+ cells from cord blood (CB) during culture in vitro with different growth factors. Methods: RT-PCR, Western blot and flow cytometry techniques were used to detect the expression of caspase-3 in CD34^+ CB cells during culture in vitro. Results: Caspase-3 mRNA was constitutively expressed at a low level in freshly isolated CD34^+ cells. The expression of caspase-3 mRNA and protein was upregulated when these cellswere first expanded in suspension culture with growth factors for 3 days. However, only the 32 kDa inactive caspase-3 proenzyme was detected in the freshly isolated CD34^+ cells as well as during the first 3 days expansion with cytokines. With longer culture time in vitro, especially in the presence of the combination of IL-3, IL-6 and GM-CSF, caspase-3 was activated and a cleavage product of 20 kDa became detectable.Conclusion: Caspase-3 is involved in apoptosis of primitive CB CD34^+ cells during expansion in vitro.
文摘Clinical and laboratory results document psoriatic arthritis in a 56-year old patient. The symptoms did not resolve with standard treatments(nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids and methotrexate). TNF-alpha inhibitors(certolizumab pegol and adalimumab) were added to the treatment regime, with some adverse effects. A trial of human umbilical cord stem cell therapy was then initiated. The stem cells were enriched and concentrated from whole cord blood, by removal of erythrocytes and centrifugation. The patient received several infusions of cord blood stem cells, through intravenous and intra-articular injections. These stem cell treatments correlated with remission of symptoms(joint pain and psoriatic plaques) and normalized serologic results for the inflammatory markers C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. These improvements were noted within the first thirty days post-treatment, and were sustained for more than one year. The results of this trial suggest that cord blood stem cells may have important therapeutic value for patients with psoriatic arthritis, particularly for those who cannot tolerate standard treatments.
基金Supported by Guangdong Natural Science Foundation (9151030002000008)Shenzhen Science and Technology Plan-ning Priority Program (JH200205270412B, 200808001, 200801012)
文摘AIM: To investigate intraperitoneal transplantation of microencapsulated hepatic-like cells from human umbilical cord blood for treatment of hepatic failure in rats. METHODS: CD34+ cells in umbilical cord blood cells were isolated by magnetic cell sorting. In the in vitro experiment, sorted CD34+ cells were amplified and induced into hepatic-like cells by culturing with a combination of fibroblast growth factor 4 and hepatocyte growth factor. Cultures without growth factor addition served as controls. mRNA and protein levels for hepatic-like cells were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. In the in vivo experiment, the hepatic-like cells were encapsulated and transplanted into the abdominal cavity of acute hepatic failure (AHF) rats at 48 h after D-galactosamine induction of acute hepatic failure. Transplantation with PBS and unencapsulated hepatic-like cells served as controls. The mortality rate, hepatic pathological changes and serum biochemical indexes were determined. The morphology and structure of microcapsules in the greater omentum were observed. RESULTS: Human albumin, alpha-fetoprotein and GATA-4 mRNA and albumin protein positive cells were found among cultured cells after 16 d. Albumin level in culture medium was significantly increased after culturing with growth factors in comparison with culturing without growth factor addition (P < 0.01). Compared with the unencapsulated group, the mortality rate of the encapsulated hepatic-like cell-transplanted group was significantly lower (P < 0.05). Serum biochemical parameters, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and total bilirubin in the encapsulated group were significantly improvement compared with the PBS control group (P < 0.01). Pathological staining further supported these findings. At 1-2 wk post-transplantation, free microcapsules with a round clear structure and a smooth surface were observed in peritoneal lavage fluid, surviving cells inside microcapsules were found by trypan blue staining, but some fibrous tissue around microcapsules was also detected in the greater omentum of encapsulated group by hematoxylin and eosin staining. CONCLUSION: Transplantation of microencapsulated hepatic-like cells derived from umbilical cord blood cells could preliminarily alleviate the symptoms of AHF rats.
文摘The feasibility of using cord blood mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (CB-MSPCs) to regenerate cardiomyocytes and the optimal inducing conditions were investigated. The CB mononuclear cells were cultured in low serum DMEM medium to produce an adherent layer. After expansion, the adherent cells were added into cardiomyocyte inducing medium supplemented with 5-azacytidine. Cardiogenic specific contractile protein troponin T staining was performed to identify the cardiomy-ocyte-like cells. The results showed that the frequency of CB-MSPCs clones in CB mononuclear cells was 0. 5×10-6 and about 1. 3×107-fold expansion was achieved within 20 sub-cultivation. After car-diogenic induction, 70 % CB-MSPCs was differentiated into cardiomyocyte-like cells. It was indicated that low serum culture could expand CB-MSPCs extensively and the expanded CB-MSPCs could be induced to differentiate into cardiomyocyte-like cells in high efficiency.
基金supported by Medical Scientific Research Program of Hebei Province in 2010, Hebei Provincial Health Department, No. 20100131
文摘In the present study, human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells were injected into a rat model of traumatic brain injury via the tail vein. Results showed that 5-bromodeoxyuridine-labeled cells aggregated around the injury site, surviving up to 4 weeks post-transplantation. In addition, transplantation-related death did not occur, and neurological functions significantly improved. Histological detection revealed attenuated pathological injury in rat brain tissues following human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cell transplantation. In addition, the number of apoptotic cells decreased. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization showed increased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, nerve growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor, along with increased microvessel density in surrounding areas of brain injury. Results demonstrated migration of transplanted human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells into the lesioned boundary zone of rats, as well as increased angiogenesis and expression of related neurotrophic factors in the lesioned boundary zone.
